Respect is integral to everything Allison Bohn does as executive assistant to Andrew Alleyne, dean of the College of Science and Engineering (CSE). “At the end of the day, people are people. If you treat them with respect, that goes a long way,” she says.
Her CSE colleagues share this mentality. “I worked at [a past employer] for 10 years. And within one year [at the University of Minnesota], I've never felt more respected for what I do besides working with Andrew,” Allison notes.
She’s done a lot to earn that respect. Nomination letters for the President’s Award for Outstanding Service call Allison an excellent relationship builder and force multiplier. She comes by it honestly. “I want to be a problem solver,” she says. “It’s just built into me.”
Growing up in a large family that included foster siblings, Allison witnessed her parents’ dedication to community involvement and a “go, go, go” mentality. They taught her that, “If you get to know someone on a personal level, it’s really easy to figure out what they need.”
Joining the University of Minnesota
After more than a decade of working in higher education, Allison applied to the U of M on the recommendation of her sister, an alumna and Twin Cities resident. Allison moved from Tennessee in April 2022, a notably snowy month. She admits thinking it was a mistake at the time.
Luckily, the snow didn’t drive Allison away, and she’s grown to love her Twin Cities community. She met her now-husband and moved across the street from her in-laws—a move that has proven beneficial. “It’s so great. They get the kids off the bus twice a week,” she says, referencing a second and fourth grader from her previous relationship and a third grader from her husband’s previous relationship.
Allison appreciates the flexibility the University offers her. “[My coworkers] know I do a good job and will get my work done, but also [that I’m] a parent,” she says. “That good work-life balance is definitely appreciated.” Allison’s kids have come with her to the office occasionally, and her coworkers don’t mind. “They’re like, ‘Oh, you can use my office. Look at this cool science thing.’” The kids especially like Tate Hall, which houses the University’s mineral collection: “They’re really into rocks.”
“Is it a bear or a mouse problem?”
Allison uses a similar approach at work and home. “With my kids I always say, ‘Is it a bear or a mouse problem?’” At work, she regularly handles situations that don’t need to be escalated to Dean Alleyne. It’s why she and the dean enjoy working with each other. “We both move quickly together,” she says.
And if a problem could become a real bear, Allison is ready with a solution. She offhandedly mentions a suspicious device that led to a last-minute venue swap. As the police waited for the back-up units and evacuated the building, Allison focused on ensuring the event was a success. “We’ll just move it and keep going. … If you’re not stressed out, usually people aren’t stressed out.”
Allison’s reach extends far beyond the Dean’s Office. For example, she spearheaded an office reconfiguration that consolidated 70 CSE employees to office spaces in Walter Library. The move allowed previously scattered CSE staff to occupy the same floor in Walter, leading to better collaboration across teams. This project itself is impressive, but even more remarkable is that Allison sourced nearly all furniture for the move from the University’s ReUse facility rather than buying it new. “I’m thrifty,” she explains.
Whether she’s choosing furniture, optimizing Dean Alleyne’s schedule, or coordinating events, Allison thrives on creative problem solving. “If I can help support someone with my skills in order for them to create amazing things, that is powerful for me.”